Lizard Point Wildlife Watchpoint

Find out about the wildlife you can see from the Wildlife Watchpoint on Lizard Point, the most southerly building at Lizard Point. Look out for local seals, birds and hopefully even some Choughs.

 

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This article was created before the coronavirus crisis, and may not reflect the current situation. Please make sure you check web pages for individual places before you travel, to see where is open and where you may need to book, as well as the most up to date information about visiting.

Marine life

One of the most popular daily highlights at the watchpoint are the Atlantic grey seals which can been seen hauled out on the rocks just offshore or 'bottling' (sleeping) in the water close by. Throughout the summer dolphins, porpoise, sunfish and the occasional whale and basking shark can also be seen from the watchpoint.

An Atlantic Seal pops up at Lizard Point
An Atlantic Seal pops up above the water at Lizard Point
An Atlantic Seal pops up at Lizard Point


Birds

Lizard Point is one of the best places to see seabirds in UK with exciting species such as
gannets, puffins, terns, guillemots, razorbills, various skuas and shearwaters travelling through the English Channel. Many of these species are travelling far out to see, but with the help of our telescopes and a bit of patience you have all the tools you need to see some super species.

There are lots of birds to see closer to shore too. Britain’s most southerly point is home to a pair of red-billed choughs, a type of crow that was once extinct in ‘the Duchy’ (the county). Choughs are a local cultural icon, they feature on the Cornish coat of arms, so you shouldn’t leave Cornwall without attempting to see one. 

A Chough chick with its parent
A Chough chick with its parent near Lizard Point
A Chough chick with its parent

There is a resident kestrel who often gives amazing aerial displays at eye level before descending on its prey. Other species reguarly seen include swallows, oystercatchers, turnstones and whimbrels. 

In spring and summer, Lizard Point is well known for attracting southern overshoots; these are bird species that normally migrate north to summer in the Mediterranean but often land at Lizard Point and include a range of colourful species such as the hoopoe, which turn up annually in small numbers, bee-eater, woodchat shrike, red-rumped swallow, golden oriole and black kites occurring in most springs.


What makes the Lizard so unique?

The Lizard peninsula is also renowned for its unusual geology and vast array of botanical life. With its spectacular colourful cliffs and great swaths of heathland the Lizard boasts a wealth of wildlife and is home to over 250 species of national or international conservation importance, some of which only occur here on The Lizard peninsula. 

Maritime heath-heather and coastline in September near Beagles Point, Coverack, The Lizard, Cornwall

The Lizard National Nature Reserve 

Thanks to our partnership work the Lizard National Nature Reserve has recently been extended to become one of the largest NNRs in the South West.

Erica Vagans - Cornish Heath, growing on the Lizard.
Erica Vagans unique to the Lizard in Cornwall
Erica Vagans - Cornish Heath, growing on the Lizard.

How to find us 

The Wildlife Watchpoint is based at Lizard Point, the most southerly tip of mainland Britain (TR12 7NU).

As well as all the wonderful things to see outside, inside the Watchpoint hut there are wildlife displays, and fun activities for all the family. For more information about wildlife on the Lizard visit the Linking the Lizard website, which has information about our work with our local partners. 

 

Get involved

We are looking for enthusiastic people, with a love of wildlife, to join the Watchpoint team. You don’t need to be a wildlife expert; so long as you are friendly and enjoy talking to people you’ll be perfect for the watchpoint.

Or join the nest protection team? Help protect Cornish choughs by monitoring their nest site. We protect the nest round the clock so there are day-time and evening shifts available. 

For more information about volunteering with us please email or call 01326 222170